Excellent inspection results and new Director for Learn Welsh Cardiff

The Learn Welsh Cardiff centre, located in the School of Welsh, has received a glowing report following a recent Estyn inspection.

Learn Welsh Cardiff was rated ‘Excellent’, which is the highest rating possible, in 4 out of 5 inspection areas in May.

It was rated ‘Excellent’ with regards to ‘Well-being and attitudes to learning’, ‘Teaching and learning experiences’, ‘Care, support and guidance’ and ‘Leadership and management’ and rated ‘Good’ with regards to ‘Standards’.

Learn Welsh Cardiff was established following the creation of the National Centre for Learning Welsh in 2016 and is one of the National Centre’s 11 providers. Learn Welsh Cardiff delivers Welsh courses at all levels for adults in the city and county of Cardiff.

The inspection also marked the end of an era for Learn Welsh Cardiff, as the team bid farewell to Lowri Bunford-Jones. Following a successful period of leading the provision, Lowri has moved on to become the Planning and Development Director at the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

Anna Jones is the new Director of Learn Welsh Cardiff and started on Monday, 2 October.

Anna was the Welsh Language Manager at Gower College Swansea. In that role, she led on strategic developments in Welsh language provision, as well as staffing and the learner experience.

Prior to that, she was a Research Officer at S4C, before completing a PGCE course and teaching at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydywaun.

Anna said: “I’m really looking forward to the new challenge of working as the Director of Learn Welsh Cardiff.

“Estyn’s recent report marks a successful milestone in the history of the provision here.

“I can’t wait to start working with such a dedicated and active team that makes an important contribution to the Government’s strategy for reaching a million Welsh speakers.

“On a personal level, it’s been exactly 20 years since I moved to Cardiff from North Wales to study Geography and Planning at Cardiff University. So, it’s a very timely return!”

Dr Dylan Foster Evans is Head of the School of Welsh. He said: “It’s wonderful to see the excellent work done by the Learn Welsh Cardiff team, under the leadership of Lowri Bunford-Jones, being recognised in this Estyn report. I’d like to wish Lowri all the best in her new post and thank her very much on behalf of everyone for her wise and tireless leadership.

“Our learners have great experiences with us on their journey to mastering the Welsh language – we also thank them for their dedication and enthusiasm.

“Learn Welsh Cardiff is now looking forward to a new and exciting era under the leadership of Anna Jones, who brings with her a range of experiences and expertise in education and the Welsh language. We can confidently look forward to further developments in Welsh learning in Cardiff.”

If you’d like further information on Welsh courses, please visit the website.